There’s nothing like bonding with your furry friend in the great outdoors. Tennessee offers over 50 state parks to explore with your pet, and you can camp, get cozy in a cabin, or spend the night at a lodge thanks to our pet-friendly accommodations. To help you plan your trip, we've compiled a short list of parks that are great destinations for pets and their owners to play and relax.
5 State Park Getaways to Take with Your Dog in Tennessee
Pet-Friendly Overnight Stays.
Did you know that all Tennessee State Parks with overnight stays offer a number of options that are pet-friendly? All of our campgrounds allow pets and, if you're not a camper, our parks offer pet-friendly lodge rooms and cabins. That means you can plan a getaway that doesn't include leaving your best friend behind. In fact, this might be just as much of a vacation for them as it is for you!
1. Standing Stone State Park
Middle TN | Map & Directions
Standing Stone State Park is 11,000 acres and has over eight miles of day-use hiking trails that provide lots of fantastic views for you and your pup to take in. The trails wind around beautiful Standing Stone Lake, up ridges, and past over-flowing streams. The park also offers paddling rentals for those looking to explore the park from the water. If you're looking to chase waterfalls or explore nearby state parks, Standing Stone is close to attractions such as Dale Hollow Lake, Cummins Falls State Park, and Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park.
Where To Sleep:
Cozy up in one of the historic cabins that offer fireplaces and Wi-Fi. Whatever your adventure, Standing Stone cabins are the perfect place to enjoy the beauty and history of Middle Tennessee.
2. David Crockett State Park
Middle TN | Map & Directions
David Crockett State Park is a 1,319-acre park with a paved bike trail and more than ten miles of hiking trails for you and your furry friend to enjoy. The trails offer scenic vistas of Shoal Creek and Crockett Falls, limestone bluffs, abundant wildlife, and serene forests. If you have a water-loving dog, you'll enjoy easy access to Lake Lindsey, where you can splash around. Paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and fishing boats are available for rent.
Where To Sleep:
There are a few options for campers with the park’s two campgrounds. There are 97 sites equipped with a table and fire ring/grill combo. Perfect for sitting around and cooking man’s best friend’s food – hot dogs!
The park also features seven modern cabins near beautiful Lake Lindsey. Available year-round, each cabin is completely furnished with two bedrooms, two baths and a full kitchen, and a covered patio.
3. Natchez Trace State Park
West TN | Map & Directions
Natchez Trace State Park offers 48,000 acres full of activities for visitors with pets! Over 40 miles of hiking trails winding through the forests and along the lakeshores, you and your furry friend will be amazed by the beauty of your surroundings. Most of the trails range from one-half mile up to 5.5 miles, so you can choose the perfect path to explore. The park also offers paddling rentals, a swim beach, an on-site restaurant and much more.
Where To Sleep:
Natchez Trace State Park offers over campsites, including lakefront campsites with full hookups at Pink Oak Campground and a wrangler campground for campers with horses.
The cabins at Natchez Trace range from deluxe two-bedroom cabins with kitchens and living areas to basic camping cabins with only the bare necessities. Which cabin you choose will depend on the number of guests and the level of comfort you're looking to accommodate.
4. Chickasaw State Park
West TN | Map & Directions
Nestled in western Tennessee, Chickasaw State Park is a serene location to explore. With sparkling lakes, towering pines, and a vast array of land and water activities, it's a must-visit destination for pet owners. Check out the popular Lake Shore Trail, which follows the entire shoreline of Lake Placid and includes a 640-foot footbridge that crosses the middle of the lake. Beyond this trail, plenty of other paths offer impressive views and unique ecosystems. You can even rent kayaks or paddle boards and bask in the sun on the water.
Where To Sleep:
Chickasaw offers three pet-friendly cabins near the shore of Lake Placid that offer rustic charm with modern amenities. There are also three pet-friendly standard cabins on a hill overlooking the lake.
The park also offers camping at three campgrounds for RVs, tents, and visitors traveling with horses. The RV campground offers a number of sites with full hookups (water, electric, and sewer).
5. Norris Dam State Park
East TN | Map & Directions
Norris Dam State Park is located on the picturesque Norris Reservoir, offering beautiful blue waters to explore. The park is known for its hiking trails, which cover over 20 miles and range from 0.5 to 5 miles long. Along the trails, you'll find stunning lake views, historic features, and a variety of plants and wildlife.
For those with pups interested in water activities, visit the Norris Dam Marina to launch your boat or rent one for the day. Before leaving the park, be sure to check out the 18th-century Rice Grist Mill and grab a souvenir from the gift shop inside.
When it's time to refuel, head over to nearby Clinch River Brewing. In addition to delicious food and drink, the brewery offers pet-friendly seating.
Where To Sleep:
For the more outdoor dogs, the park has two campgrounds. The east campground has 25 sites with water and electric hook-up and 10 primitive sites for tents only; the west campground has 50 sites with water and electric hook-up. All the sites have a table, grill, and fire pit.
The park has historic CCC cabins and deluxe cabins. The historic cabins were originally constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All are in quiet, wooded settings and are equipped with electrical appliances, cooking utensils, and linens. These offer the perfect relaxation retreat for you and your pup.
BONUS: Tims Ford State Park
Middle TN | Map & Directions
Tims Ford State Park is an outdoor enthusiast's dream vacation. The 3,546-acre park sits on the Tims Ford Reservoir, considered one of the most picturesque lakes in Tennessee. The park provides ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with fishing, paddling, boating, and their Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. Furry friends are sure to enjoy all of the trails throughout the park, with ample wildlife viewing opportunities.
Where To Sleep:
Tims Ford State Park offers a variety of camping styles, like RV with electric and water hookups, and more rustic hike-in and paddle-in campsites.
Bonus: Take a Day Trip with Your Dog
Furry friends everywhere love the parks for a break in their daily routine. Whether it's a chance to view wildlife, a trail with all the new smells, or a quick dip (safely - note the life vest, please) in the river, the parks offer awesome opportunities to pamper your pup.
Extend the Day With a Stay:
While many of the featured parks in this section (Harpeth River State Park, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Radnor Lake State Park) are day-use only, you can extend your outdoor fun at some of the nearby parks that have overnight accommodations - like Montgomery Bell State Park, Bledsoe Creek State Park, and Cedars of Lebanon State Park.
Hungry for more after a long day at the park? Nearby at Henry Horton State Park and Montgomery Bell State Park, you can enjoy all of the luxuries of a vacation with a full-service restaurant and lodge.
Tips for a Pawfect Visit
Here are a few things you should note to have a safe and enjoyable visit with your pet:
- Always clean up after your pet.
- Keep your pet on a leash, crated or caged, or otherwise under physically restrictive control at all times.
- Make sure your pet is current with all vaccinations.
- Be weather aware. Avoid prolonged outings on especially hot or cold days.
- Bring enough water for you and your pet, especially when hitting the trails.
- Note signage that specifies areas where pets are not permitted within the park. Pets are prohibited in park lodges or cabins (except where rooms and/or cabins have been designated for pets), public eating places, food stores, and on designated swimming beaches and pools at all times.
- Contact the individual park for specific restrictions regarding pets on various trails.
- Don't leave your pet unattended in lodge rooms or cabins.
Reservation Tips:
Pet-friendly cabins and campsites can be booked online at https://reserve.tnstateparks.com/
Pet-friendly lodge rooms can be reserved by calling the specific lodge.
Phone numbers can be found at https://tnstateparks.com/overnight-stays/lodges.
Note that there is a pet fee for guests staying in lodges and cabins.